American Film Market Dailies

Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi will preside over Thai Night AFM 2017 – Thailand Where Films Come Alive, an event of celebration of Thai cinema and its industry organized during the American Film Marketand Conference 2017.

              Held in Santa Monica on November 2^nd by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government, the event will spotlight Thailand's new wave of film talent, artists, technicians and entrepreneurs who are contributing to making Thailand the premier film production hub of South-East Asia.

              A prime example of the Thai film industry’s growing confidence is the commercial and critical success of the teen youth thriller “BAD GENIUS” directed by Nattawut Poonpiriya and produced by Thai production house GDH. Thailand’s most successful film of 2017, “BAD GENIUS” not only broke the 100 million Baht mark (US$ 3 million) at the domestic box office, but ended up becoming one of the most successful Thai films overseas, breaking Thai film earning records in several Asian countries. In addition, the film received high praise at international festivals, winning multiple awards, including Best Feature at the New York Asian Film Festival and Best Director at the Fantasia International Film Festival. Last but no least, several international remakes are now in the works.

Bad Genius 

              Meanwhile, the competitiveness of the local film production and post-production services has translated into an uninterrupted flow of international productions selecting Thailand as their shooting destination. Last year, the number of foreign films produced in Thailand increased by 15%.Over the same period, China lead with 65 films representing over 600 million Baht in production expenditures. Recent films shot in Thailand include “GOLD” starring Matthew McConaughey, Edgar Ramírez and Bryce Dallas Howard, “ALL I SEE IS YOU” starring Blake Lively and Jason Clarke, “MECHANIC RESURRECTION” starring Jason Statham, and “NO ESCAPE” starring Lake Bell and Pierce Brosnan.

              This remarkable success is not only born out of the country's amazing locations, its world-class hospitality industry or attractive production costs, but more so from the strength of the local industry. Thailand offers among the most skilled and versatile film crews and technical services available in South East Asia, contributing US$2.8 billion to the local economy and supporting over 100,000 jobs.

              The attractiveness of Thailand as a film destination is set to increase thanks to the launch of the Thai film incentives for international film and TV projects. The new tax rebate program which was unveiled this year offers a minimum of 15% cash rebate for local production expenditures that exceeds US$1.5 million. The rebate can reach 20% through an additional 3% if the production uses Thai cast or crew in prominent positions, and an additional 2% for productions that contribute to promote Thailand as a tourism destination. The first international film to benefit from the tax rebate initiative is “CHANGELAND”, the directorial debut of actor Seth Green, starring himself and Breckin Meyer, and featuring Macaulay Culkin.

              All these accomplishments will be at the center of Thai Night AFM 2017 – Thailand Where Films Come Alive. Held in the presence of Department of International Trade Promotion, the event will provide an opportunity for film professionals from around the world to network with Thai talent and forge new ties with the Thai film industry.

Source: Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government.